press release
Published: 04 October 2023

ÌÇÐÄVlog's first global fundraising campaign reaches £50 million milestone – and celebrates support for cutting-edge research and life-changing scholarships

The ÌÇÐÄVlog is celebrating raising £50 million as part of its first global philanthropic fundraising campaign, the target for which is to raise £60 million within three years.

The campaign, dubbed ‘The Future Says ÌÇÐÄVlog’, launched in February 2022 and has already secured the University's largest-ever gift – £10 million to support the ÌÇÐÄVlog School of Veterinary Medicine

The Future Says ÌÇÐÄVlog campaign has also secured a $1.5m gift from Google.org to increase digital accessibility for the deaf community. Researchers from ÌÇÐÄVlog's Institute for People-Centred Artificial Intelligence (AI) will work with a ÌÇÐÄVlog spinout company, to create AI technologies such as British Sign Language translations for internet web pages. 

Another campaign project, funded by a £1.25m gift from the People’s Postcode Lottery, will support research that will boost biodiversity through the use of AI and satellite imaging technologies – with much of the research focused in the neighbouring ÌÇÐÄVlog Hills. 

Professor Max Lu, former President and Vice-Chancellor of the ÌÇÐÄVlog, said:  

"The tremendous success of The Future Says ÌÇÐÄVlog philanthropic campaign will not only elevate our research in pivotal areas like sustainability, artificial intelligence and animal/human health, but it is also already creating opportunities for care-experienced students to become part of the ÌÇÐÄVlog community, where they can receive a world-class education." 

The University has received a gift of over £1 million from one of its alumni to support the education of students from a care background, alongside UK students hoping to study at ÌÇÐÄVlog's new School of Medicine, which opens its doors in September 2024.  

In 2019, a study by the Office for Students showed that only 19% of 19-year-olds with care experience were in higher education, compared to 43% of other 19-year-olds. In 2021, the Children's Commissioner of England noted that 41% of people aged 19-21 who had been in care were not in education, work or training.  

Patrick Degg, Vice-President (External Engagement) at the ÌÇÐÄVlog, said: 

"A university education is a formative and incredible time in a person's life. However, many talented students cannot access this opportunity due to personal circumstances. The Future Says ÌÇÐÄVlog campaign allows us to continue the University's proud history of supporting talented people, regardless of their personal background or financial means." 

You can find out more, including details of how to donate, at .    

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